By the Author of Dear Diary: It’s Me, Jessica
Find the previous chapter here.
Dear Diary,
It’s me, Jessica.
Oktoberfest is here!
At our community council meeting, Mr. Miller, representing the outlying farms, announced that despite some challenges, all the crops are in and it was a good year. He also said some of the farms had used up their remaining fuel for harvest or haying. Using the oxen he had trained for beast of burden, he was able to conserve some of his fuel, but there was just under twenty gallons in the bulk tank.
“The fuel gauge on the tractor is hovering just above ‘E.’ Next year is going to be interesting,” Mr. Miller said seriously. “I have helped others train oxen as beasts of burden, but they are not going to be nearly as fast or efficient as a full-sized tractor.”
“I have some ideas of how we can convert some of your equipment into something smaller and lighter for them to pull,” Dad said. “I’ve got a few designs,” Dad tapped the side of his head with a finger, “Of new equipment we could construct if the tractor-designed ones cannot be converted.”
“Somehow, I knew you would,” Mr. Miller smiled, then took his seat at the picnic table.
Mom turned to Katie and gave her a nod.
“My turn? Okay, with access to the farms, we were able to diversify our breeding lines robustly of the small, medium, and large livestock. We were able to double the medium and large livestock herds. With the hay we were able to trade with Mr. Miller and the other farms, we should have enough hay to get us through the winter if it is not a bad winter. If it is bad, we might have to cull some of the herds to keep the others alive till spring. We will see. With help from Jack, we were able to increase our own production of alcohol. The quality is better too, thank you, Jack.”
Jack smiled and nodded in appreciation as he scratched Samson behind his ears. The big dog was sitting next to him, and the puppies were lying on their sides, napping.
Katie nodded to Mom that she was done and sat down. Mom then stood up and started her part.
“Well, the community had a very good growing season. We grew likely two to three times as much as we need. We have been canning like crazy, fermenting, and drying just about everything. We will use the surplus in trade with Katie and her group and Four Corners for things we might need from them, and even Jamal and his group.”
HAM Guy raised his hand. Mom smiled and said in her teacher voice, “Yes, HAM Guy.”
“After a week of radio silence, City HAM Guy finally came up on the radio nets. He, his family, Jamal, and his group with their families relocated to a different part of the city, out in the suburbs. They are still setting up, but are in a much safer place. He passed word from Jamal that they are going to need seeds for next year.”
Mom nodded.
“Rae, you have been to Four Corners to coordinate this year’s Oktoberfest.”
Rae stood up, “Again, it is going to be a mash-up of Oktoberfest, the Gaelic festival called Samhain, Day of the Dead in remembrance of those who have passed, and Halloween. Everyone is invited,” Rae looked to Katie and then Mr. Miller. “Come as you are or dress up if you like. No trade is expected as everyone is expected to share in the harvest. Bring what you can. But if you want to talk shop for future trade, Sean says, ‘Aye! Do as ya like,’” Rae said in her best imitation of Sean’s strong Irish accent.
Everyone laughed or at least chuckled.
“There will be a best in show pumpkin carving contest. Sean and others will provide music for dancing. There will be a children’s trick-or-treating time. Afterwards, I will tell my Halloween, magical pumpkin patch story.”
Rae got light applause at the mention of her magical pumpkin patch story.
“East Gate guard, Tom, has also been working on a Halloween-like story for the kids.”
“I have been working with Tom on the story, too,” Katie smiled.
“Oh! This could be fun,” Rae exclaimed.
Mom looked around and asked if anyone had anything to add as Rae sat down.
Jack stood up.
“I planted a small crop of sugar beets as soon as the ground thawed the past spring for sugar beet wine. With the extra sugar in the beets plus the honey I needed to get the fermentation process going, it has a bit of a kick. Kick aside; it’s pretty good-tasting as long as you like beets. I also made a mix of elderberry, blueberry, and blackberry wine. Hard cider from apples. And finally, wheat beer. Got pony kegs and large magnum bottles of all of those. I did distill a couple of gallons of corn whiskey, but that is for Daniel and Savannah for medical purposes. Or, to use as my industrial strength cleaner.”
A few people laughed.
“I have other batches still fermenting or aging that will be ready over the next few months and some to use as starters come next spring.”
Jack sat down in his camp chair.
Mom stood back up and called for final comments. She then did a quick summary of the meeting.
“Looks like we had a good season. Good enough to get us through winter without too much cause for concern. We have livestock herds. And we have Katie and Jack’s spirits to keep us reasonably happy,” Mom joked. “We have been cutting, splitting, and stacking firewood since as soon as spring arrived. My husband and a few others have been seeing to everyone with a fireplace, which is nearly everyone, and their chimneys are clean. HAM Guy will keep us up to date on what is being said on the radio nets. If no one has anything else, I call for this meeting to adjourn. It smells like dinner is ready,” Mom said as she looked over her shoulder at the three Dutch ovens over the outdoor oven fires.
Entry two
Two days later, Oktoberfest at Four Corners had arrived!
This year, Rae, Kathy, Joan, Allison, and I decided zombies were so pre-power-like. Instead, we were going as much more traditional witches with big, black pointy hats, green-faced makeup, and heavy black eyeliner. With Allison’s talent for makeup, she made us look good! Mom and Joanna were able to piece together a dozen black dresses into a witch’s dress for each of us. They made them slightly oversized so we could wear heavier-weight clothing underneath to keep us warm. It has been getting down into the lower thirties, and we have had two ‘killing’ frosts in the past week. The smell of fall was in the air.
Mom and Dad changed it up too. Instead of Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein, they went as Young Frankenstein and his assistant, Inga. The characters are based on some movie I have never seen. They kept quoting parts of the movie. Some were hysterical. Other parts I did not get. Someone called ‘Abby . . . normal,’ and the line ‘Put… the candle… back!’ Dad just said, “How is your generation ever going to learn the greats? You need to see the movie. I will see HAM Guy about a charge on Mom’s computer.”
The Millers arrived, driving the flatbed with a few sacks of ground wheat, corn, and cages with live chickens in them.
They revived the Wizard of Oz characters they did last year, Mr. Miller as the Tin Man. On horseback, Mrs. Miller was the Wicked Witch of the West, Billy the Scarecrow, Justin the Lion, and Janet Dorthy. Billy’s wife was Glinda, the good witch of the North. We locked eyes for a moment, and she quickly looked away. She was clearly uncomfortable with me. I did not understand why.
Dad told Mr. Miller Jack needed to use the flatbed again to transport the kegs and bottles of alcohol to Four Corners.
“I figured as much. Let’s be on our way.” Mom and Dad, Rae, Kathy, Joan, and Allison hopped on the flatbed. I led on my horse.
We formed a chain from Jack’s cellar to the flatbed to pass the milk crates of bottles to load up on the flatbed. With that many hands, the work went quickly. When it came to the pony kegs, it took four of the men to use what Dad had made into a cradle for the men to move one pony keg. Even then, it took some effort.
Dusk was still a few hours away, but with the goods and everyone, include Jack, Samson, and the puppies, on the flatbed, it would be a slow but easy walk for the Percherons to four corners. Percherons were not exactly race horses.
We were almost to Four Corners when Katie and a group of her men, women and their families caught up to us. Some were on horse back, others with a horse pulling a wagon with their families in them and their contributions to Oktoberfest. They had cages of chickens and rabbits, two cows and a half a dozen sheep in tow behind the wagons. With what we and Katie were bringing, what Four Corners had, it was going to be a great Oktoberfest!
Entry three
When the East Gate was in view, I sprinted ahead on my horse to let them know who was approaching. Collins was manning the gate with one other person.
“Tom is busy rehearsing for his debut performance for his Halloween story. Been at it for weeks now, muttering lines. It better be good or I am going to throttle him myself!”
“Katie said she was part of his story.”
“She better be to even him out!”
I glanced over to see that Four Corners had set up a board, listing all the vendors, what kind of meat, and how much they needed for Oktoberfest. The Four Corners slaughter pens were about half full. A team of men was processing some livestock. With what we brought, I thought we could easily meet their needs to have a successful Oktoberfest.
We unloaded the livestock to the men at the pens and made our way to Four Corners proper.
Sean and a few other men were finishing up building a large tee-pee like wooden structure for the bonfire. A number of people were already gathered around, some sitting on camp chairs or upturned wood stumps. Several people greeted us, and those of us with horses tied them to hitching posts well short of where the bonfire would be. Mr. Miller and Jack decided they would use the flatbed as a beer stand. Mr. Miller pulled the flatbed next to Sean’s shack, unhitched the Percherons, and led them away. A number of people gathered around as Jack set up the kegs and began filling cups for an enthusiastic crowd.
“Aye! Jessica,” Sean called out to me.
“Hi Sean,” I said as I walked up.
“Like your costume.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like to do the honors?” He nodded at the bonfire.
“Sure!”
He picked up a long stick with bundle of dry grass wrapped around the one end and handed it to me. He took out a lighter and tried to light the grass but the lighter would not light. He shook it a few times and tried again. Still no flame.
“Must be out of fluid. Got another one in my other pocket.”
This time the lighter lit and he lit the grass at end of the stick. I walked up to where they left an opening in the tee-pee to the interior. There was a large bundle of dry grass in the middle of a smaller tee-pee made up of small dry twigs, sticks and then larger sticks and split wood. I put the flame into the bundle of grass. In moments the interior was ablaze. Many people clapped others gave a cheer. The larger pieces of wood started to burn.
Oktoberfest had officially begun.
Entry Four
The sun was low on the horizon, the air became cooler, but it was still comfortable with what we wore under our costumes. It was even hot if you got too close to the bonfire. Rae and I took bundles of corn from Mr. Miller to hand out to people who were cooking. We were greeted with warm smiles and thanks. Some of the men from the slaughter pens also arrived with fresh cuts of meat. Soon, the air was filled with the smell of roasts, baking chickens, spiced kebabs, hearty stews, and roasting vegetables. I noted there were not as many pumpkins this year. One elderly woman told me this Oktoberfest not only would there be a pumpkin carving contest but a pumpkin pie contest. There was no prize other than bragging rights. She smiled sweetly and nodded to a covered cast-iron pan sitting next to her fire, keeping the contents warm. We wished her luck and headed back to the bonfire.
Rae and I were just back at the bonfire when there was shouting, and word passed from the North gate.
A group of people on foot had arrived.
About 1stMarineJarHead
1stMarineJarHead is not only a former Marine, but also a former EMT-B, Wilderness EMT (courtesy of NOLS), and volunteer firefighter.
He currently resides in the great white (i.e. snowy) Northeast with his wife and dogs. He raises chickens, rabbits, goats, occasionally hogs, cows and sometimes ducks. He grows various veggies and has a weird fondness for rutabagas. He enjoys reading, writing, cooking from scratch, making charcuterie, target shooting, and is currently expanding his woodworking skills.
